Patrick_y's report on the recent Tokyo GTG offers a vibrant look into the WatchProSite community's global reach and camaraderie. His detailed account not only captures the essence of these in-person gatherings but also highlights the shared passion for horology that unites collectors from diverse backgrounds. This article provides an insider's perspective on the unique experiences and discussions that unfold when enthusiasts meet, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in the social fabric of luxury watch collecting.
WatchProSite is all about community, friendship, sharing passion, and distributing knowledge. Through helping each other, we can increase the knowledge about watches and preserve it for all. We do this not only on our website through our discussion forum, but we also do this in person in GTGs. At a WatchProSite official GTG, we invite all active members in good standing to attend and they are publicly announced (as opposed to being exclusive secret affairs). Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we've only had a three official GTGs; Amanico hosted one in Switzerland last May, Dr. No hosted one in Southern California just a few weeks ago, and we had two Tokyo GTGs in the past couple of days.
We had two Tokyo GTGs in two days during the first two days of the Patek Philippe event. About two dozen of you contacted me and FabR about attending a GTG in Tokyo surrounding the Patek Philippe Exhibition. Our members came from all over the world for the event; a couple members from Europe, one member from the Americas, a few members whom were local to Japan, and a few from South East Asia. Many more would've liked to have come, but unfortunately couldn't make it to the event on the dates, sadly. Two members missed the event by only hours! And one member had a private appointment with Patek Philippe that could not be rescheduled.
To the members who weren't able to make it to our GTG. WE ARE ALL VERY SAD THAT YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTEND! YOU WERE MISSED VERY MUCH! NEXT TIME! I'll do my best to recreate the event in my report below.
On our first event which took place on the evening of Saturday 10-June-2023, several WatchProSite members found a restaurant and decided to camp out to talk watches. The members came from Europe, America, Japan, and South East Asia. At first the group had a little problem with the venue - but everyone was a good sport and eventually it was solved about ten minutes later. Over many glasses of beers, glasses of sangrias, waters, and teas; the members shared stories and passion about various Patek Philippes. Problems with dealers, the lack of training, and difficulties acquiring pieces. The group also chatted extensively about rare handcrafts and enamel pieces - multiple members owned enamel works of art. One of our members also shared an interesting experience about an amusing visit to a "maid cafe" and how special niches exist in Japan. The conversation pivoted to jewelry; jewelry design, the art of gem setting, and craftsmanship related to jewelry - what a cool conversation! One member also lost a small inexpensive item (it was a very inexpensive item but it was one of those things that was irritating to lose) and the attendees spent the next two hours searching for it on and off! No stone was left unturned and it was finally found! And the members talked about current events related to the Omega Speedmaster debacle. All of the members were wearing exquisite watches too, four were wearing recent acquisitions! Just exquisite! There's no photographic proof of the wonderful evening - but all in attendance will remember that wonderful evening! To all the members who couldn't attend, YOU WERE MISSED!
Our second GTG took place at lunch time on Sunday 11-June-2023 in one of the most fashionable districts of Tokyo. The group dined at a very cool and elegant space that felt like a man-cave library filled with books about gentlemanly pursuits like automobiles, design, cigars, and other design icons through the decades. The venue even had a special wall decorated with 1000s of kilograms of mechanical parts - arranged and exhibited almost like a piece of art. The luncheon had members in attendance came from all over the world; Japan, America, Europe, and South East Asia - a testament of the reach of the WatchProSite community! The sun never sets on WPS! The group had wonderful conversations about watches, our thoughts on WatchProSite, various places to live, the recent auction of the watch of the Last Emperor and unlucky watches, the number four, a deep discussion about what watches were on our wish list, and more. Lunch was very tasty, healthy, well proportioned, cooked well, and extremely reasonably priced (especially considering the comfortable surroundings and the prime location! Our members were all wearing exquisite upon exquisite timepieces. No shortage of exquisite timepieces! I'm pleased to report that I have in my possession one piece of evidence of this wonderful afternoon in good company. You can see below a photo of the members' wrists in their comfortable surroundings!
Again, it was a pity that some of our members were unable to make the two GTGs in Tokyo. One member missed it by only a couple hours! How unfortunate! If only that airplane would come in a little earlier!
Thank you to all the members! All the members who read WPS. A double thanks to all the members who contribute and post on WPS (this place would be crickets if you guys didn't post, please post). And a triple thanks to all the members whom contacted me about the GTG. WatchProSite is all about inclusion and I'm glad that so many of you saw the public posting and decided to reach out to see if you could attend! While there aren't any GTGs planned for the near future, PLEASE continue posting and keeping an eye out for WatchProSite Official GTGs (all official WPS GTGs are publicly announced without exception to give all members in good standing access)!
And for the members who contacted me and FabR but couldn't attend, YOU WERE VERY MUCH MISSED! I'm glad I was able to meet some of you individually before, between, or after the GTGs! As I've now left Tokyo, I'm reflecting on our wonderful meetings and GTGs! Thanks again for the wonderful memories!
Thanks again to all of our members! You guys make WatchProSite great! I hope all of you make it out to a WatchProSite GTG!
This message has been edited by FabR on 2023-06-13 11:01:18 